Hi! Welcome to my blog! My name is Jane (PlainJane) and I am the blessed and happy wife to Jeff and doubly blessed mama of two perfectly wonderful daughters. Please join me as I share our Lifestyle of Learning through Christian homeschooling and homesteading on our little hobby farm with our prairie girls.
Bookworm is our dd14/9th grader.
Our perfectionist and over-achiever. She loves reading, playing violin, her Paint horse, Annie, being a farm girl, and History re-entacting.
Ladybug
is our dd11/6th grader.
Our "girls just want to have fun" girl. She loves to play and has a great sense of humor, but also likes reading, music, her Quarter Horse, Kitty, and History re-enactment.
We are finished reading
the Moody books
By Sarah Maxwell
and HIGHLY recommend them
Please click on images for
information
~ I am a part of... ~
he said to them, "Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you -- THEY ARE YOUR LIFE. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess." Deuteronomy 32:46-47
May. 9, 2008~ Show & Tell Friday - Horsey School ~
Although the academics of our school year is pretty much over until fall ~ Bookworm is done and Ladybug just has a bit of math & spelling to finish; our Lifestlye of Learning never ends. Our equestrian studies are just kicking into high gear with the nicer weather (a subject that no matter how long you have been with horses, you are always learning something new). This week we were in for a real treat when our farrier (also horse trainer) was over at our neighbor's for a colt starting.
There were about a dozen of us over to watch the festivities - friends and horse professionals alike. Our neighbor lady (in the navy jacket) currently has 4 horses. This "little" guy is a 2-yr. old Friesian - TOTALLY untrained and uncontrollable just an hour before, pictured with our farrier on his back for the first time. (Note: Usually one should not get on a horses back before the age of 2, as their backs are not strong enough to hold a person's weight and could cause a sagging back).
Friesian's are a big, powerful breed from the Netherlands; known for their long beautiful mane & tail and long featherly hair around their feet. They are "officially" always black, but may have a white star on the forehead. This breed seems to be very strong-willed, and this guy, born on our neighbor's farm, was born with a double dose. Our farrier said that in all his years of colt starting (and he's an old-timer), he has never had to deal with such a strong will - with a hobble on one leg, a rope around his neck, and a rope through this mouth like a bit, he was still a force to be reckoned with for a full hour. Here is the neighbor lady taking her first ride on him. After a rest (for the horse) and about another hour of training, she could ride him with a saddle and without anyone holding on ~ just the colt following one of her other well-trained horses around in the round pen. Our farrier has laid the ground work, but our neighbor will now have to work with him every day. He was responding very well to just the lightest touch of the reigns, but she dares not use her feet to get him going yet.
Our neighbor lady is braver than I - I wouldn't have gotten on that horse if you paid me. :) It's encouraging to me to see other people struggle with their horses - I feel like I didn't make such a bad choice in our horses. When we returned home after spending 3 hrs. next door, we had to get our own horses ready for the farrier to trim their hooves, so we groomed and played with them while we waited. Two of our horses were just not paying attention very well (it was a windy day - not a great day to get them to focus) and Ladybugs' horse reared high in the air for her - a first (thankfully she wasn't on it's back and ran for safety). Our farrier, a wonderful Christian man, is always good to give our horses reminder lessons when necessary. It was a fun, but exhausting day.
Please see Mary if you would like to join Show & Tell Friday and for the Mr. Linky to more Show & Tellers.
I have had horses since I was a child but no longer have them. It was lovely to read your post and remember those days. I have seen thing type of thing done before also and I am like you I could not be so brave as to get on that horse. lol
Looks like a very fun day! Did you read that book... oh now, what is it called? The movie, The Horse Whisperer, was made from it. Can't remember. Anyway, the book was good, even for someone who isn't a horse-lover :o) and it's non-fiction, right up your alley!
Still working on those devos, sort of. I think I am going to end up winging it again...
Oh, and noooo, I don't think I can meet you in the wee hours. I'd have to go to bed right after supper, and my kids stay up too late. But hey, come to think of it, there might not be anything to do in the evenings now anyway, lol. Maybe we'll ALL go to bed early!
It looks like your equestrian studies are lots of fun. My sister in law owns a horse ranch, but my kids are scared of the horses and don't want to learn to ride!
pam
Great pictures! One of my middle daughters is taking Natural Horsemanship classes but it's using the Clinton Anderson approach. We have had such great fun...in training, riding, and a few little tricks.
Looks like I missed a good show and tell - one about horses! I don't think I would have liked to have gotten on that horse either - one with a double dose of a strong will - thanks but no thanks!
I have had such little time for my horses :(
But the very good news is that three of Rachel's friends want to be in the county fair this year - they come every day to work with our horses (with Rachel). It is really good for our horses - and Rachel is having a blast, too.
Antoinette
There were about a dozen of us over to watch the festivities - friends and horse professionals alike. Our neighbor lady (in the navy jacket) currently has 4 horses. This "little" guy is a 2-yr. old Friesian - TOTALLY untrained and uncontrollable just an hour before, pictured with our farrier on his back for the first time. (Note: Usually one should not get on a horses back before the age of 2, as their backs are not strong enough to hold a person's weight and could cause a sagging back).
Here is the neighbor lady taking her first ride on him. After a rest (for the horse) and about another hour of training, she could ride him with a saddle and without anyone holding on ~ just the colt following one of her other well-trained horses around in the round pen. Our farrier has laid the ground work, but our neighbor will now have to work with him every day. He was responding very well to just the lightest touch of the reigns, but she dares not use her feet to get him going yet.
